Suffolk parents and schools urged to work together

Friday, November 9, 2012
9:13 AM

Parents in Suffolk should take an interest in their children’s school work – but don’t need to be an expert in the field to make a difference.

That was the message from keynote speaker Kevan Collins at the second “Raising the Bar” conference hosted by Suffolk County Council at Trinity Park.

Mr Collins is chief executive of the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) which was set up to invest up to £200 million in educational projects over the next 15 years.

It aims to help boost the achievements of youngsters at a disadvantage, especially those who are entitled to free school meals.

Mr Collins told an audience of 250 teachers, council officials and other professionals that parents and schools needed to work together to improve youngsters’ performance.

He said the most important thing parents could do was to take an interest in their children’s work and to give them encouragement.

“You don’t need a degree in physics to do their homework for them.

“What is needed is for parents to take an interest in what their children are doing at school and to encourage them in their work.

“Just talk to your children about what they’ve been doing at school, and have a dialogue with the school to see how you can help – that’s the most important thing.”